041524 HRA_CC_PC Work SessionHOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Joint City Council, Housing and
Redevelopment Authority, and Planning
Commission Work Session
April 15, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Vrieze Daniels called the work session to order at 5:45 p.m. in the Heredia Room.
HRA/EDA Gordon Hanson, Sean Hayford Oleary, Mary Supple, Erin Vrieze Daniels
Members Present:
Council Members Sharon Christensen; Simon Trautmann; Ben Whalen
Present:
Planning Stephanie Hollman, Eddie Holmvig, Cole Hooey, Ben Surma, Brett Stursa,
Commissioners
Present
Staff Present Melissa Poehlman, Community Development Director; Julie Urban;
Assistant Community Development Director; Hillary Lovelace, Housing
Specialist; Sam Crosby, Planner; and Katie Rodriguez; City Manager
Guests Johnny Opara
ITEM #1 PRESENTATION TO CITY COUNCIL AND HRA ON THE LOCAL AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AID
Assistant Community Development Director Urban gave the presentation covering the following
about the Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) program: background and overview of the program,
deadlines, eligible uses, income restrictions, priorities, uses in Richfield, and new program ideas.
Planning Commissioner Hooey spoke about using the funding for rental assistance instead of
code enforcement costs.
Commissioner Hayford Oleary asked if the 100% AMI requirement could be raised to 125% for
flexibility purposes. Urban stated there could be flexibility.
Work Session Minutes
2• April 15, 2024
Council Member Whalen spoke about the possibility of creating new city -owned housing.
Community Development Director Poehlman spoke about the difficulties with creating and managing
public housing in the city.
Hooey and Urban spoke about program priorities with the HRA.
ITEM #2 PRESENTATION BY JOHNNY OPARA, JO DEVELOPERS, OF A PROPOSED
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR 6501-25 PENN AVE SOUTH
Mr. Opara gave the presentation and spoke about his company and past projects. He also went
over the proposed development on Penn Avenue.
Commissioner Hollman stated she liked that the project was affordable and asked if there was
any possibility of turning it to mixed use. Opara spoke about tax credits and the difficulties in finding
investors for commercial spaces.
Commissioner Hanson stated he liked that the project was affordable and had multi -room units.
He further stated an interest in mixed -use but would support this if mixed -use wasn't possible.
Commissioner Hayford Oleary stated he preferred mixed -use and spoke about the outdoor
parking spaces. He further stated that if there was no mixed -use, he would want excellent urban design
that gave the residents a reason to walk outside.
Council Member Whalen stated he did not see a need for mixed -use. He further stated that after
a string of past denials, he really wanted to see something get approved and really liked the proposal.
There was a conversation between staff, Opara, and commissioners about the difficulty in
finding investors for commercial uses in the current climate. They also spoke of the need of more
residential units in the area.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Vrieze Daniels adjourned the work session at 6:57 pm.
Date Approved: May 20, 2024
C
Erin Vrieze Daniels
HRA Chair
Kelly WyM Melissa Poehlman
Interim City Clerk Executive Director